Fruit elevator



July 10, 1923- A. Z. WELLS ET AL FRUIT ELEVAT OR Filed Aug. 8, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. Z. WELLS ET AL FRUIT ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 8, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W Hh.

July MP, 1923- 1,461,638

A. z. WELLS ET AL FRUIT ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 8, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mamss I A. Z. WELLS ET AL FRUIT ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 8, 1922 5 Sheefs-Sheet 4 INVENTORS iZf/dl Z. f fe'lla v Jagwsfl Wade,

Jul w, 1923- A. Z. WELLS ET AL FRUIT ELEVATOR Filed Aug. 8 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented .liuly Ml), 11923.

new air memes PA ll...

RED Z. WELLS AND JAMES M. WADE, OF WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON.

FRUIT ELEVATOR.

Application filed August 8, 1922. Serial No. 580,482.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALFRED Z. Vans and JAMES M. WADE citizens of the United States, residing at Wenatchee, in the county of Chelan and State of \Vashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an elevating and lowering apparatus for boxes, packages, receptacles, loose or uncovered or unpacked boxes of fruit, and for any other purpose wherein it is found applicable, and has for its object to provide an apparatus of such class, in a. manner as hereinafter set forth, with means for automatically delivering receptacles to an elevating and lowering mechanism, formin r a part of the apparatus, for the purpose 0 conveying the receptacles to a higher or lower level.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with a delivery mechanism provided with means for automatically controlling the delivery of receptacles to an elevating and lowering mechanism, forming a part of the apparatus, to prevent the receptacles from abutting or piling against each other, or forced from the delivery mechanism or against the elevating and lowering mechanism, so as not to interfere with the operation of the apparatus, more particularly, the successive delivery of the receptacles to said elevating and lowering mechanis 1 for the purpose of conveying them to the points desired.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus for the purpose set forth, which is comparatively simple in construction and arrangement, strong, durable, efficient and convenient in its use, readily set up and comparatively inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations .and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation, broken away and partly in section, of the apparatus, illustrating the elements thereof arranged for the purpose of conveying a receptacle from a low to a higher level,

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in side elevation, of the controlling devices of the delivery mechanism,

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section of the elements of the apparatus arranged for the delivery or conveying of a receptacle from a high to a lower level,

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the inner end of the delivery mechanism with respect to the structure illustrated in Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the holding device employed in connection with the form shown in Fig. 8.

An apparatus for the purpose set forth, in accordance with this invention, in either form, includes a conveyor mechanism, an elevating mechanism, and a delivery mechanism, the delivery mechanism being automatically operated by the elevating or lowering mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in detail, that is, to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings, 1 denotes an upwardly extending frame, which is rearwardly inclined and forms a part of the elevating and lowering mechanism, and which is supported in inclined position by the supporting members 2. The frame 1 includes transversely extending members 3, which not only act as a bracing means for the sides of the frame 1, but also support the tracks 4, which are arranged at the front f said frame. Mounted in the frame 1, at a point above the lower end thereof, is a shaft 5, provided with a pair of sprocket Wheels 6 which are arranged within the frame 1. At the upper end of the frame 1, is journaled a shaft 7 which projects at one end from one side of said frame 1, and is provided with a pulley 8. adapted to be connected to suitable operating means therefor. The shaft 7 within the frame 1, is provided with a pair of sprocket wheels 9. Traveling over the of the other elements of the bracket.

tit

sprocket wheels or pinions 6 and 9 are the endless belts 10, which are driven by the sprocket wheels 9. Traveling on the track 1, are wheels or rollers 11, which are arranged in pairs and through each pair, extends a shaft 12, the latter having each end thereof offset as at 13 and secured to'the chains 10.

Associated with and conveyed by the endless belts or chains, are a plurality of receptacle supports or carriers, as shown, four in number, but it is obvious that the number of receptacle supports can be increased or diminished, depending upon the length of the endless beltsor chains 10. Each of the said receptacle supports or carriers is formed of two brackets, arranged in parallelism with respect to each other, and each bracket consists of a supporting member 14 pivoted at its outerend as at 15, to a link 16, the latter having its inner end pivoted as at 17', to the outer end of a lever arm 18, which is connected at itsinner end to the shaft 12. The supporting member 14 is pivotally connected, intermediate its ends, as at 19, to the outer end of a pair of lever arms 20, 21.

The arm 20 is pivotally connected to a chain '10, as at 21 and the arm 21 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 12. Pivotally mounted at its inner end on the shaft 12, to which the inner end of the lever arm 21 is pivoted, is a lever arm 22, which has its outer end connected to the pivot 17 The members 14, of each receptacle support, are adapted to receive and support the receptacle 22 when the latter is delivered. The receptacle supports are termed carriers and are adapted to successively pick up the receptacles from the delivery mechanism and elevate them to and deliver them upon a conveyor mechanism, which is arranged at the top of the elevating and lowering mechanism. The carriers when extended include what may be termed a V-shaped outer portion and a W- shaped inner portion, as clearly shown in Figure 1, the V-shaped outer portion being formed by the elements 14 and 16 and the W-shaped inner portion being formed by the elements 18,20, 21 and 22. The element 14 of each bracket is of greater length than ainy e carriers when moving downwardly at the rear of the elevating and lowering mechanism collapse to the position as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, but when the carriers start to move or travel around the sprocket wheel 6, they start to extend, and to assume the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, just prior to the time they lift the receptacles off from the delivery mechanism for the purpose of elevating the receptacle. The link 16 and levers 18, 20, 21 and 22 act as braces and supports for the member 14, so as to. maintain it in the position shown in Fig. 1, to support the receptacle 22. As

the carrier starts travel around the sprocket wheel 9, it contracts somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 1, so that there will be a satisfactory delivery of the receptacle 22' to the conveyor mechanism, which is arranged at the upper end of the elevating and lowering mechanism. The receptacle carriers furthermore provide means for automatically operating the controlling element of the delivery mechanism, so that the receptacles frond the delivery mechanism will be successively delivered to the carriers.

Projecting forwardly at an inclination and upwardly from the lowerend of the frame 1, is a pair of spaced supporting members 25 are arranged in spaced relation and are.disposed downwardly with respect to the elevating and lowering mechanism, and each of said members 25 is secured to the elevating and lowering mechanism, that is,

the frame 1, thereof, by a coupling device 26.

The members 25 are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, so as to enable the travel of the carrier between the said members 25 when lifting a receptacle from off of the delivery mechanism. The

frame 1, at each side thereof, has a guide member 26' secured thereto, which is positioned above the coupling member 26', and the guides 26' act as a means to position the receptacle, that is to say, in the path of the carriers, so that these latter will pick up the receptacles.

The delivery mechanism further includes a means for controlling the feed of the receptacles to the carriers and towards the upper end portion 31 is-disposed at an in- I clination and has its outer end provided with a vertically disposed stop 32. The in; ner portion of the upper end 31 of the stop lever is mounted on the pivot 33 and merges into the depending intermediate portion 34. The lower end portion 34 of the stop lever projects outwardly an elevating and lowering mechanism, and said means includes a stop lever and an rier.

memes downwardly at an inclination and is provided with a counterweight 35. Pivotally connected to the upper end portion 31 of the stop lever, and intermediate the ends of said portion 31, as at 36, is a pair of hanger rods 37, which have their lower ends pivoted, as at 38, to the upper end of a leg 39' of a bell crank lever. The other leg of the bell crank lever is indicated as at 39 and is of greater length than the leg 39'. The bell crank lever is pivoted as at 40, to a pair of vertically disposed spaced brackets 41, which are secured to a transverse member 42 attached to the members 23. The free end of the leg 39 of the bell crank lever is hookshaped as at 43, and is adapted to extend in the path of the pivot rod 19 of the car- This rod connects the sections of the carrier together.

The arrestin lever consists of a depending lower portion 43 and an upwardly inclined upper portion 44. The portion 43 is provided with a stop 43 which abuts against the intermediate portion 34 of the lever, that is, the stop lever, and the latter is connected to the portion 43 of the arresting lever by a coiled spring 44. The lower terminus of the inclined upper portion 44 of the arresting lever is mounted on the pivot 33 and the outer end of the por- "tion 44 of the arresting lever is provided with an angle shaped support 45, formed with depending flanges 46. Secured to the support 45, as at 47, is an angle-shaped stop or arresting device, termed a prong member 48, having the vertical leg thereof provided with prongs as at 49, see. Figure 7. Hinged to the flanges 46, as at 50, is the lower end of an arresting member formed with a vertically disposed and outwardly curved inner portion 51 and a downwardly inclined outer portion 52. The arresting member is formed from a length of fiat material and when the stop lever is lowered, the said arresting member projects up between the members 25 so that the inclined portion 52 will be in the path of the receptacle and arrest the travel thereof.

The inclined ortion 52 of the arresting member is seated on the support 24 during the upward and downward movements of the said arresting member.

The counter-balance 35 acts as a means to bring the stop lever back to its normal position preparatory to the releasing of another box for elevation. The action of the counter-weight 35 is had after the bell crank lever has cleared the carrier.

The sprin 44' provides means setting up tension on t e arresting lever, whereby the pronged member 48 carried at the upper end of said lever, will retain receptacle 22*, so that the said receptacle cannot continue to travel towards'the elevator while the stop lever is in the act of releasing. The bell crank lever and its connection with the stop lever is so designed that when in neutral position, they act as a lock to prevent the stop lever from lowering or releasing during the travel of the receptacle 22 in a direction towards the stop 32, thereby making it impossible for the receptacle 22 to continue to travel and catch on the carrier and tip over.

When the carrier passes the lower sprocket wheels 6 of the elevator,.the pivot rod 19 will automatically lift the bell crank lever and lower the stop lever from the utmost highest point thereof, which allows receptacle 22 to pass or travel towards the elevatlng or lowering mechanism in time to be picked up by the carrier for lifting the receptacle to the conveyor mechanism. Should there be two boxes on the delivery mechanism, at the same time, the arresting member will raise and through the medium of the prong member will hold the second receptacle stationary until the first receptacle has cleared the high point or stop 32 of the stop lever.

The arresting member acts as a stop to keep the prong member from projecting up into the center part of the apple box, that is to say, receptacle, thus preventing the bruising of the apples; It also acts as a stop for receptacle 22 when the latter is traveling toward the elevating and lowering mechanism. The arresting member of the arresting lever also acts as a stop for receptacle 22 as the latter ispreparing to pass the pronged projection of the arresting device when the bell crank lever is in releasing position. When the receptacle carrier passes and releases the bell crank lever, the arresting member of the arresting lever will drop away from the receptace, in such a manner so that thereceptacle 22 will continue toward the stop of the stop lever, and which provides an absolute automatic releasing device, allowing any number of fruit receptacles to be sent towards the elevating and lowering mechanism in a continuous line, so that the box carrier can pick up receptacles, one at a time, and intermittently.

Owing to the manner in which each of the receptacle carriers is set up, the supporting members of each carrier always remain in a horizontal position, from the time the car- 'rier picks a receptacle up and until it delivers it to the conveyor at the upper en of the elevating and lowering mechamsm. This provides means whereby either loose or packed fruit can be carried without injury and the boxes not tipped, under such conditions preventing the spilling of loose fruit.

In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9. the apparatus is designed for conveying the receptacle from a high to a lower level, a reverse operation with respect to the man- .in Figs. 8 and 9, the elevating and lowering mechanism and the receptacle carriers which form a part of such mechanism, are constructed in the same manner as referred to in connection with Figs. 1 to 7, and it is thought unnecessary to specifically refer again to the elevating and lowering mecha- 10 nism.

In Figs. 8 and 9, the delivery mechanism is arranged at the upper end of the elevating and lowering mechanism and the conveyor mechanism is arranged forwardly of the elevating and lowering mechanism in proximity to the lower end thereof. The conveyor mechanism may be of any sultable construction and is referred to generally by the reference character 54, and the elevating and lowering mechanism is referred to generally by the reference character 55, and the carriers thereof, by the reference character The inclined supports for the elevating 35 and lowering mechanism are designated at 57 and at their upper portions have pro- ,jecting rearwardly therefrom, upwardly inclined supporting members 57 having their free ends secured to a transverse support 58 on which is mounted the delivery mechanism. The construction of the delivery mechanism is the same as that referred to in connection with Figs. 1 to 7. with the following exception. The operating means for the stop lever is different from that referred to in connection with Figs. 1 to 7, and the means operative from the carrier to actuate the operating means for'the stop lever 1S different from that referred to in connection 49 with Figs. 1 to 7. Further in connection with Figs. 8 and 9, an automatically operable holder is provided to arrest movement of the. receptacles on to the carrier, after the receptacle has been released by the stop lever.

In Figs. 8 and 9, the stop lever is referred to generally by the reference character 59, and the arresting lever by the reference character 60., Depending from the upper end of.

50 the stop lever 59, is a pair of hangers 61,

having the upper end of the upper le 62, of

a bell crank lever pivotally connected there-' with as at 63. The lower leg of the bell crank lever is indicated at 63 and is pivoted as at 6a, to a pair of brackets 65, secured to a plate 66, attached. to the members 57.

The lower leg 63 of the bell crank lever is I pivoted as at 67, to the upper end of an elongated link 68; the latter has its lower end '69 pivoted as at 69 to an actuating lever 70, the

latter having one end pivoted as at 71, to brackets 68', mounted on an angle iron 69', carried by'a portion. of the supporting frame 72. The free end or forward end of the lever 70 is extended upwardly at an inclinamamas tion, as at 73, and is positioned in the path of the pivot rod 19 of the carrier. The receptacle carriers travel in the direction of the arrows, that is downwardly on the front of the elevating and lowering mechanism and upwardly on the rear of said mechanism, and during the upward travel of a carrier, it will contact with the end 73 of the lever 70, carrying said lever upwardly to the position shown in dot-ted lines and shift the actuating mechanism for the stop lever, so that the said mechanism will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 and cause the lowering of the stop lever 59. When the. stop lever 59 is shifted to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the arresting lever will also be shifted and will assume the position illustrated by dotted lines in. Fig. 8.

The delivery mechanism, shown in Fig. 8, further includes an automatically operable holding device for the purpose of retaining the receptacle on the delivery mechanism, after the receptacle has been released by the stop lever, and before the carrier starts to pick up the receptacle. The said device is arranged at the discharge end of the delivery mechanism and consists of a pair of levers 74, and each of which is pivotally connected to the frame of the delivery mechanism. The levers 74ers angle-shaped and are mounted at each side of the frame of the delivery mechanism and each of the levers is pivoted as at 7 5'. The forward portion of the lever 74: is of greater length than the rear portion, and the latter has its upward movements arrested by a lateral stop 7 5.

which projects inwardly from the frame of' the delivery mechanism. The levers 74 are connected together by a transverse bar 76 and the forward ends of each of the levers 74: are provided with a depending nose 77. Associated with the levers 74 is a holding member positioned to project beyond the discharge end of the delivery mechanism and the said holding member consists of a pair of rearwardly extending arms, each arranged at one side of the frame of the delive mechanism and formed with a downwar ly and rearwardly inclined lower portion 78 and a forwardly extending upper portion 79. Each of said arms is pivoted to the frame of the delivery mechanism as at 81, and the downwardly inclined portion 78 of the arm is formed-w ith an inwardly projectin lateral stud 82 which is engaged and over apped by the nose 77 of the lever 74. Formed integral with the forward end of the upper portion. 79 of the said arms is an upwardly extending and transversely disposed holdin member 83. The arm roects forwar ly from the discharge en I of the delivery mechanism and the member 83 is normally positioned in the path ofthe receptacle 84 so as to arrest the travel thereof, after said receptacle 84 is released from the stop lever. When the levers-74 are in the position shown in Fig. 9, they act as a means to maintain the member 83 in the position as shown in Fig. 8 to arrest travel of the receptacle 84, but when the levers 74 are elevated through the medium of a carrier to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the member 83 assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and the receptacle 84 is released so that it can be picked 11p by the carrier. As the carrier travels upwardly, the supporting members thereof will contact with the bar 76, and raise the levers 74 and the arms which project rearwardly from the member 83. At this point, the supporting members of the carrier picks up the receptacle and the member 83 and levers 74 remain in the position to which they have been shifted, until the receptacle 8% clears the member 83. A fter member 83 has been cleared by the receptacle 84, the levers 74 and the member 83 remain in locked position until the controlling means of the delivery mechanism starts to release another receptacle.

lVhen the carrier picks up the receptacle,

the elevating and lowering mechanism moves' the carrier downwardly so that the receptacle can be positioned on the conveying mechanism 54 and there transferred to the point desired.

\Vhat we claim is:

1. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, an elevating and lowering mechanism including a traveling carrier, and a delivery mechanism having as a part thereof a counterb-alanced stop element and a spring controlled arrestiug element connected with each other and actuated from said carrier during the travel thereof.

2. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, an elevating and lowering mechanism including a traveling carrier, and a delivery mechanism having as a part thereof a counterbalanced stop element and a spring controlled arresting element connected with each other and said delivery mechanism further including an actuating means for said element depending from the stop element and actuated from the carrier during the travel thereof.

3. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth. an elevating and lowering mechanism including a traveling carrier, and a dehvery mechanism having as a part thereof a counterhalanced stop element and a spring controlled arresting element connected with each other and cctuated from said carrier during the travel thereof. and said arresting element including a pronged arresting member and a curved arresting member, said members carried at the upper end of said arresting element.

4. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a traveling carrier formed of a pair of foldahle brackets connected together, each of said brackets formed of a series of pivotally connected members to )rovide a'V- shaped outer portion and a W -shaped inner portion, and} each of said brackets having one of its elements of greater length than the other of its elements and providing a supporting member.

5. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting element provided with a )ronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting member having the rear end thereof downwardly curved.

6. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting member having the rear end thereof downwardly curved, said stop element being counter-balanced and said arresting element connected to the stop element by a resilient member.

7. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting clement provided with a pronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting member having the rear end thereof downwardly curved, said stop element being counter-balanced and said arresting element connected to the stop element by a resilient member, and an actuating means for said elements depending from said step element.

8. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth. a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting memher having the rear end thereof downwardly curved, said stop element being counterbalanced and said arresting element connected to the stop element by a resilient member, said elements depending from said stop element.

9. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting clement provided with a pronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting member having the rear end thereof downwardly curved, and a pivot common to said elements.

10. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting member having the rear end thereof downwardly curved, said stop element being counter-balanced and said arresting element connected to the stop element by a resilient member, and a pivot common to said elements.

11. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism including as a part thereof a feed controlling means comprising stop and arresting elements, said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and further provided with an upwardly inclined arresting member having the rear end thereof downwardly curved, and an actuating device for said elements supported from the delivery mechanism and operated by the carrier during the travel thereof.-

12. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism provided with stop and arresting elements, and means for pivotally supporting said elements, said stop element projecting rearwardly with respect to said arresting element and said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and an upwardly inclined arresting member.

13. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a deliverymechanism provided with stop and arresting elements, and means for pivotally supporting said elements, said stop element projecting rearwardly with respect to said arresting element and said arresting element provided with a p'ronged arresting member and an upwardly inclined arresting member, said elements resiliently connected together and said stop element provided with a counter-weight.

14. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism provided with stop and arresting elements, and means for pivotally supporting said elements, said stop element projecting rearwardly with respect .to said arresting element and said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and an upwardly inclined arresting member, and an actuating means for said elements depending from said stop element.

15. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a delivery mechanism provided with stop and arresting elements, and means for pivotally supporting said elements, said stop element projecting rearwardly with respect to said arresting element and said arresting element provided with a pronged arresting member and an upwardly inclined arresting member, said elements resiliently connected together and said stop element provided with a counter-weight, and an actuating means for said elements depending from said stop' element. 1

In testimony whereof, we afiix' our signatures hereto;

ALFRED Z. WELLS. JAMES M. WADE. 

